ICESat

NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2003-002A

Description

ICESat is a part of NASA's Earth Observing System. Its primary objectives are to determine the mass balance of the polar ice sheets and their contributions to global sea level change and to obtain essential data for prediction of future changes in ice volume and sea-level. Secondary objectives are to measure cloud heights and the vertical stucture of clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, to map the topography of land surfaces, and to measure roughness, reflectivity, vegetation heights, snow-cover, and sea-ice surface characteristics.

To achieve these goals, ICESat will utilize its sole instrument, the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System, or GLAS.